Japan, Russia hold talks on elusive WWII peace treaty

Possible nominee for the "Excellence in Procrastination" award?

Chikahito Harada...“We’re going to tackle this issue in a new way to break the deadlock that has lasted until now,” Harada said, according to Jiji Press news agency.

Japanese old way to resolve the problem = 'The 4 islands are ours, we want them all back'.

Japanese new way to resolve the problem = 'The 4 islands are ours, we want them all back'.

The Japanese never get it. They might control the narrative within Japan's borders, but they don't on the international arena.

The soviets were terrible. Transformed into today's Russia which will not return the islands. They are too strategic against USA and Japan.

I'm with Gary on this one. What is this "new way", and since they've already begged Russia for the islands back time and again, what else could they possibly offer besides a whole lot more money? Russia is laughing about this. They hold ALL the cards. Japan has an election in the very near future, and Abe and other politicians have made settling this and many other vows part of their promises to constituents. They are desperate. In any case, they'll NEVER see all four back, if even two.

Nothing will ever happen while Japan refuses to admit the islands are Russian territory.

Putin just annexed Eastern Ukraine, he'll not be giving away islands anytime soon. So I don't get the reasons from both Russian and Japan that anything will happen, unless it's about cash or some other ploy

I am obviously not a reader, because I thought JiJi was a very appropriate name for news agency that reports on the Old Boys Club. Had to look up the kanji to find out what it really means.

It is obvious that Japan needs to take the task to the Arbitral Tribunal at The Hague. Press this body to be the utmost authority. This will legitimatize its function.

Let the Russians keep the islands and no peace treaty. No problem! I do not see why Japan should give Russia a peace treaty with nothing in return.